Reviewed by Volker Then

For all those who are seriously interested in how foundations can work effectively to resolve societal problems, this book is a must-read. For those who fear that foundations might have become too powerful, it is also a must. And for those who are concerned with foundations losing their value base, it is equally relevant. Megan Tompkins-Stange has succeeded in writing a concise and enlightening book.

She addresses the involvement of four major US foundations in public policy – namely in education policy – from a wealth of interview materials collected in a carefully balanced approach and against a background of fully assured anonymity.

Her four substantial cases of US foundations are the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation,